KeepSmilin4Abbie Foundation to drive early detection and treatment of anaphylaxis

Through the Wyss Institute Spark Awards, individual donors and families help advance breakthroughs that the world urgently needs

A crisis measured in seconds

1 in 20 American, or almost 20 million people, are at risk of anaphylaxis. The only treatment for an anaphylactic reaction is epinephrine. A reaction may escalate quickly with symptoms that can be variable and fast moving. Tragedy strikes when epinephrine treatment is not administered early in the reaction.

The death of Abbie Benford illustrates this disastrous outcome. Due to the fast progression of her attack, epinephrine was not administered quickly enough. Abbie died in intensive care in 2013, shortly before her 16th birthday.

“Today, anaphylaxis is a subjective assessment by the patient that can cause delays in treatment. Teenagers like Abbie are at risk of sudden death from anaphylaxis because of the fast-moving nature of an anaphylactic reaction and ambiguity in the detection phase. We know most medical problems can be solved with objective measurements and early detection. We aim to improve the lives of the tens of millions at risk by providing early detection which will enable successful treatment,” said Stephen Benford, father of Abbie Benford and Executive Director of the KeepSmilin4Abbie Foundation.

We believe technology-enabled early detection and treatment will remove ambiguity in the assessment phase, providing patients with early notification and treatment that saves lives. And we think the Wyss Institute team uniquely combines the science, technology and clinical realms to solve this problem.

Sparking discoveries, transforming futures

Thanks to the generous support of The KeepSmilin4Abbie Foundation, Wyss Institute researchers are moving forward in identifying novel biomarkers for food allergies and anaphylaxis to enable early detection and open doors to new treatments for food-induced anaphylaxis. In collaboration with Rima Rachid, MD, Director of Allergen Immunotherapy in the Allergy and Asthma Program and Co-Director of the Food Allergy Program at Boston Children’s Hospital, the pilot study at the Wyss Institute’s Diagnostics Accelerator will examine serological samples of patients for insights into this life-threatening condition.

“We believe technology-enabled early detection and treatment will remove ambiguity in the assessment phase, providing patients with early notification and treatment that saves lives,” said Benford. “And we think the Wyss Institute team uniquely combines the science, technology and clinical realms to solve this problem.”

Turning generosity into action

Fueled entirely by donor generosity, the Spark Awards power early-stage Wyss research to improve patient outcomes. Last year’s awards propelled breakthroughs in pediatric cancer, women’s health innovation, and next-generation diagnostics – but the possibilities are as limitless as the challenges we face. Every gift reflects personal passions, accelerates discoveries from the lab into our communities, and ignites a lasting legacy of impact for patients everywhere.